Give Thanks Day 10: 315/366

I am thankful for my friends. I are so lucky to have friends both near and far, each one special in his/her own way. Some I have known since I was a child and others, just a short while, but each one is a blessing to me.

Today was kind of quiet. Not soccer or any other activities. Abby went to a friend's house to play and Mckenzie and Scott hung out together.

Abby looks so grown up in this photo! I can't believe she will be seven years old in just a few months!

Give Thanks Day 9: 314/366

I am thankful for my parents. They taught me so much in life and I hope I can do the same for my children. If it wasn't for my parents, I wouldn't be who I am today :)

Mckenzie and Abby went to a birthday party for a mutual friend tonight. It was loud and crazy and they both had a blast. I left the party with my ears ringing wishing I had just stayed home, but seeing how happy they were, made it worth it to me.

The photos I am turning in for my photography class this week. I am pretty happy with how they turned out!

Give Thanks Day 8: 313/366

I am thankful for my beautiful daughters. They are so special to me and I am lucky to be their mother. They are so different in many ways. Abby is a rule follower and likes organization. Mckenzie likes to make her own rules and is very emotional. They are both very loving and kind young girls and I look forward to seeing them grow. I feel like I have accomplished many things in life, but raising them is my greatest accomplishment.

We got some snow that stuck to the ground overnight so when the girls woke up, they were beyond excited to see the white ground. I let Abby play outside a bit before school and Mckenzie got to play outside when Abby got on the bus.  M and I made a snow girl and dressed it with Abby's mittens and hat so we could pretend Abby was playing with us. It was warm enough to melt most of the snow so we will have to wait to play in it again.

During dinner, we ask the girls what their most and least favorite part of the day was. Abby's was playing in the snow and making snowballs to throw at me. Mckenzie said hers was making two snow angels.

Give Thanks Day 7: 312/366

I am thankful for being able to take another photography class in hopes to improve my skills. Sometimes it feels frivolous to spend money on learning photography when it is only a hobby. But, I am really looking forward to becoming better at taking photos. I feel like I don't have much time with baby number three on the way. I want to be able to capture his first months without red eye and awful composition and bad lighting!

Today was a half day for Abby. She was excited to be able to come home and play before having to do her homework. It was nice to spend the afternoon with both girls.

Give Thanks Day 6: 311/366

Today I am thankful for the ability to exercise my right to vote! I feel so blessed to live in a country where we get to be a part of the political process. Although I could do without all the negativity surrounding politics. I would like it if for once, a politician told the truth, not a half spun truth that helps get him/her elected, but the honest to goodness truth. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening any time soon.

The girls got to pick out a couple pieces of candy from trick or treating last night before they went to bed. Funny how they both picked out nerds as their number one choice :)

Give Thanks Day 5: 310/366

I am thankful that we were able to trick or treat one last time with our friends in NJ. I was a little worried it wasn't going to happen with all that happened last week, but it all worked out! Abby had a great time trick or treating. She ran from house to house and didn't want to slow down for anything. Well, at least until the end when I ended up carrying her because her foot her. Seems like every year she has trouble with her shoes. Mckenzie had fun, but she got bored of it about halfway through and asked to go home. She wanted to go home after she got her first box of Nerds which was at the second house she went to. I made her keep going. Mama wanted some good candy! Scott wasn't able to join us as he was too busy at work. He did take Abby to a couple of houses in our neighborhood once he got home so he didn't miss out completely.

Both girls had parties at school. I just love being a part of them. I feel so blessed to be able to participate in their activities. I know all too soon, there won't be class parties to go to and I will miss that special time with my girls.

Give Thanks Day 4: 309/366

I am thankful for my hubby. He is a great husband and a great father to our children. He is kind and smart and most of all, he is very loving and generous. I am blessed he is in my life!

Scott ran a 10k this morning. He said it was a pretty cool run, although a little challenging. The route took them over the Ben Franklin Bridge and back into NJ. Mckenzie is fever free today so I am thankful for that too!

Give Thanks Day 3: 308/366

I am thankful that when Mckenzie gets sick she doesn't get crabby. Somehow she manages to be chipper and easy going. 

Poor kid has the flu :(

Give Thanks Day 2: 307/366

I am thankful that the clothes the girls have outgrown are going to be put to good use. I have been so hesitant to part with their old clothes but today I decided it was time to donate them. Clothes are not memories, they are just objects and they serve no purpose sitting in my garage. (I did save a few things for baby boy that were gender neutral and a handful of outfits that had special meaning to me, but only a few.) I cannot think of a better use for them than for someone who has been affected by Hurricane Sandy. So I spent the better part of my day sorting (summer stuff to Goodwill, winter for Hurricane Sandy people), washing, drying, and folding. They are ready to go and I can't wait to deliver them tomorrow :)

The girls finally went back to school today! I think we all were happy to be back into our routine. I took the time to look for some maternity clothes but ended up finding more for the girls than myself :) I even bought our baby boy his first outfit today :)

Give Thanks Day 1: 306/366

I decided I wanted to document an entire month of what I am thankful for and what better time to do it than November! Today, I am thankful for power. We lost power Monday night and it has been a long week thus far. So today, when Abby woke up in the wee hours of the morning, crying she was cold and didn't want to go back to sleep and then once I got her back to sleep, I couldn't fall back asleep and Mckenzie woke up with a bloody nose all over everything, I was a wee bit grumpy. I realized though, that I could either spend the day thinking it was a horrible day or I could put on my big girl panties and do something about it. I chose the latter. I called a friend and asked if we could come over to do a load of laundry (Mckenzie's lovey was a casualty of the nose bleed) and hang out for awhile. It was a great morning and luckily bear looks just like she did before the nose bleed. I would say good as new, but that would be a lie. That bear has been well loved for the last 4 years :) The kids enjoyed getting out of the house (as did I) and playing with their friends. When we got home, it was a wonderful sight. The outside lights were on, meaning we had power. Power means heat and that means I don't have to worry about the kiddos being cold tonight. What a blessing. We were lucky that losing power was the worst of our Hurricane Sandy experience. There are so many people that were devastated beyond belief and I pray that they are able to rebuild and grow from this awful situation.

Thankful for power :)